York Hospital looks to take control of cleaning

09 February 2018

Bosses at York Teaching Hospital are "actively exploring" a plan to set up a new company which would run cleaning and maintenance services onsite.

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust wants to set up a limited liability company to run the Estates and Facilities department in a bid to save £1 million. It also stressed that this was a move intended to safeguard existing jobs.

Yorkshire based newspaper The Press reported that Brian Golding, the department’s director, explained bosses “will continue to plan for an alternate delivery model for Estates and Facilities, which will remain wholly owned by the NHS".

Mr Golding added: “At this stage, no decision has been made about what the new model will look like and how it will work, however we will ensure that any staff moving to the new organisation will be able to keep their current NHS terms and conditions.”

Staff have reportedly expressed concerns that existing NHS terms and conditions, including pensions and sick pay, might be at risk if the plans go ahead.

A statement sent to The Press by the hospital trust, added: “Once a new model is agreed, we are committed to making sure that staff are given plenty of opportunities to ask questions and give feedback, and we have met with trade union representatives to discuss how best to communicate with staff during the coming months.”